We were lucky to catch up with Donovan Carter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Donovan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path during high school. I’ll never forget, it was November 2016. One amazing night, I got the opportunity to go see my favorite artists, Travis Scott on the Rodeo tour with special guests Bryson Tiller and Skepta. During that time frame, I knew I wanted to do something in the realm of music, but I didn’t know just what yet. Also during this time, I really feel in love with taking photos on my iPod touch (especially of musicians). While attending the concert, I was playing around, taking pictures on my iPod like usual and at this moment, it hit me, maybe I should start doing photography and see what happens. A month later, I bought my first dslr and and never looked back.
Donovan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, my name is Donovan Carter and I am a freelance photographer hailing from Philadelphia, PA. I do lots of photography, but I mainly specialize in concert and portrait photography. I first got started with photography surprisingly by just going to concerts. Ever since I was 12 years old, I always knew I wanted to do something in music without making it, Once I started getting into photography and realizing how things go hand in hand, I just decided to make it my thing and go forward with it. Ever since making that decision, I haven’t never looked back. I believe my work stands apart from others is by the way i have a more intimate with the artists. I try to make it feel as if you are around the artists in my work and make it feel less as it is just a random picture you are looking at.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the summer of 2019, I got the opportunity to photograph Governers Ball in New York City. Ill never forget, during the first set of the day, I tried to get into the photo pit for Playboi Carti and a security guard stopped me. She said that since i had a media pass, I was not allowed to shoot in any of the pits and had no photography access at all. With successfully shooting the first day and having this energy to get even more content, me and my friend Keith decided to literally sneak backstage and manage to get so much better content that we both never thought of getting. Also, I was able to get a rare portrait of The 1975 lead singer Matt Healy in the process. In my opinion, that probably one my favorite days ever.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Personally, I would love to have my own art gallery displaying fellow photographers and my own work in the city of Philadelphia. Personally, I feel that the city has such a amazing and beautiful art scene that does not get the recognition it deserves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shotsbydoncarter.com/
- Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjpppmwna_-AhU0ElkFHVMwA68QFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fshotsbydoncarter%2F%3Fhl%3Den&usg=AOvVaw2jCYn2xyRRc_NWAoAMGJkg
Image Credits
Portrait photo shot by Mary Bielarski